5 Things You Need to Know about This Magnificent Supplication
The majority of scholars agree upon the fact that Laylatul Qadr falls within the last ten days of Ramadan and specifically the odd nights. Some are of the opinion that it’s on the twenty-seventh night. So we’re currently in the 27th night of Ramadan as the night precedes the day in the sight of Allah. Let’s examine more details on the significance of this special prayer taught by the noble messenger to his beloved wife.
Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah! If I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ The Prophet SAW said: “Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and you love to pardon, so pardon me. — Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi
Here is an Arabic inscription of the dua’:
اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
And this is the transliteration :
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa`a fu annee”
Differentiating between Al-Afuww and Al-Ghafur
Al-‘Afuww comes from the root ‘afw, which means to obliterate, or remove something. This meaning connotes ‘pardoning’, which is when one looks over another’s error and does not take them to account for it. On the Day of Judgment, we may find that many sins we committed are not in our record, this is ‘afw, which is when Allah completely removes your sins from your record as if you never committed them at all. Al-‘Afuww pardons His Servants by not calling them to account for their sins and erasing their sins from their records. Not only does Allah pardon and remove our sins, but He Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala loves to Pardon, as is implied in the dua above.
Al-Ghafoor takes its root from ghafar, which means to cover, and shield. When Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala forgives a sin, it means that He conceals it. He does not expose the sins of His Slaves rather, He shields and protects them from the consequences of their sins and still forgives even though He is All-Aware of what they have committed. In this instance, the sin still remains in the book of record but has been forgiven.
When Al-‘Afuww and Al-Ghafoor are paired together, it produces a compassionate boomerang of how Merciful Allah is. He Pardons much, and for the sins He didn’t Pardon, He will forgive and conceal if He Wills.
The Prophet peace be upon him said: “There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with sins as heavy as a mountain, and Allah would forgive them.” — Muslim
Here are a few more things to note:
- The dua’ exposes your deficit and spiritual bankruptcy. It is you who need Allah, there’s nothing He needs from you.
- It illustrates how to praise Allah with His Unique Names and Attributes.
- It’s a form of humility before Allah — admitting we are sinners and we can’t find refuge except with Him.
- This magnificent supplication is about returning back to Allah for purification of the soul while yearning for Allah’s mercy. For it’s only by His Mercy we can succeed.
- It establishes Allah’s Generosity and Willingness to Forgive, Pardon, and shower His Mercy upon His slave.
Oh, Brethren! Take advantage of this golden supplication which wasn’t available to nations before you. The days of Ramadan are numbered and nothing guarantees you’d see the coming one. May Allah grant us His Pardon, blot out our sins and give us a clean record on the day faces are humiliated for what their hands have earned. Success lies only with Allah!!!
Yaumus Sabt 27th Ramadan 1440H / Saturday 1st June 2019
